Method and system for displaying driving modes of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method for displaying driving modes of a vehicle ( 6 ). The vehicle ( 6 ) can be operated in at least two different driving modes. In the method according to the invention, it is ascertained whether the vehicle ( 6 ) is being operated in a first or a second driving mode. In the first driving mode, a first actuator carries out a first action, and in the second driving mode, a second actuator carries out the first action. A first graphical element ( 7 ) which represents the first actuator and a second graphical element ( 8 ) which represents the second actuator are generated on a display surface ( 3 ). Depending on whether the vehicle ( 6 ) is in the first or the second driving mode, a first graphical action element ( 9, 10 ) which represents the first action is generated with the first ( 7 ) and/or second graphical element ( 8 ). The invention further relates to a system ( 1 ) for displaying driving modes of a vehicle ( 6 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP2016/066292 filed Jul. 8, 2016, which designatesthe United States of America, and claims priority to DE Application No.10 2015 214 685.5 filed Jul. 31, 2015, the contents of whichapplications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a method and a system for displaying drivingmodes of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle can be operated in at least twodifferent driving modes.

Due to the development of automatic driving in a vehicle, the driver isconfronted with different levels of automation in the vehicle. Thelevels of automation in this case comprise manual driving, in which thedriver undertakes the entire vehicle guidance himself, partiallyautomatic driving in which the driver is partially assisted by thevehicle in which, whilst the vehicle undertakes the vehicle guidance,the driver is not released from monitoring the vehicle guidance, andhighly automatic driving in which the driver passes all drivingresponsibility to the vehicle. The highly automatic driving mode in thiscase also comprises a fully automatic driving mode. The level ofautomation which is available may depend on the route to be traveled. Ifa plurality of levels of automation are possible, the driver himself isable to select which level of automation he uses for guiding thevehicle.

BACKGROUND

DE 10 2013 208 206 A1 discloses a device for indicating upcomingautomatically performed steering interventions in a vehicle. In thiscase, a plurality of lighting elements which are positioned adjacent toone another in the steering wheel are activated according to informationabout upcoming steering interventions.

Moreover, DE 10 2012 002 306 A1 discloses a driver assistance apparatuswhich is designed to guide a motor vehicle automatically during ajourney. To this end, it is possible to switch between a plurality ofassistance modes. The assistance modes in this case comprise thespectrum from manual driving via partial automation and high automationto full autonomy of the vehicle. In this case a different controlelement is used for each assistance mode.

A drawback here, however, is that the driver is not able to identifyclearly in which mode he has to undertake which tasks himself.

SUMMARY

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a methodand a system in which the driver is able to identify intuitively and ina simple manner the tasks which he has to undertake.

According to the invention, this object is solved by a method having thefeatures of the independent method claim and by a system having thefeatures of the independent system claim. Embodiments and developmentsare disclosed in the dependent claims and in the followingspecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained in detail on the basis of exemplaryembodiment with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system according to theinvention,

FIG. 2 shows an example of an arrangement of the system according to theinvention in a vehicle,

FIGS. 3a and 3b show examples of the design of graphical elements whichrepresent the actuators,

FIGS. 3c and 3d show examples of the design of graphical actionelements,

FIGS. 4a and 4b show displays as generated by a first exemplaryembodiment of the method according to the invention on a displaysurface,

FIGS. 5a to 5c show displays as generated by a second exemplaryembodiment of the method according to the invention on a displaysurface, and

FIGS. 6a and 6b show displays as generated by a third exemplaryembodiment of the method according to the invention on a displaysurface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In a method according to a first aspect of the invention, it isascertained whether the vehicle is being operated in a first or a seconddriving mode, wherein in the first driving mode a first actuator carriesout a first action and in the second driving mode a second actuatorcarries out the first action. In this aspect, a first graphical element,which represents the first actuator and a second graphical element,which represents the second actuator are generated on a display surface.Depending on whether the vehicle is in the first or the second drivingmode, a first graphical action element, which represents the firstaction is generated with the first and/or second graphical element.

According to this aspect and depending on whether an action element isactually displayed with one of the two graphical elements, it isprovided in a simple manner which actuator is currently carrying out theaction.

Within the context of the present explanation, “with the first and/orsecond graphical element” is understood that the action element may beclearly assigned visually to one of the two graphical elements. If thefirst and the second graphical elements, for example, are displayedbelow one another, the action element is displayed adjacent to thegraphical element which represents the actuator which carries out theaction. If the first and the second graphical elements, for example, aredisplayed adjacent to one another, the action element is displayed belowthe graphical element which represents the actuator which is carryingout the action.

According to the present aspect, a high degree of flexibility isprovided for displaying the different driving modes. As differentactuators are displayed, an action which has been carried out may beassigned in a flexible manner to an actuator and displayed therewith. Asa result, the driver is able to detect intuitively, which tasks he isresponsible for in the current driving mode and which tasks, forexample, the vehicle undertakes itself.

In one embodiment of the method according to the present aspect, atleast one second action is carried out by the first or the secondactuator, wherein depending on the ascertainment as to whether thevehicle is in the first or the second driving mode, a second graphicalaction element which represents the second action is generated with thefirst and/or second graphical element. This embodiment permits that thedisplay is still designed intuitively and in a simple manner, even inthe case of more than one possible action which may be carried out byeach actuator. A visualization of all potential configurations betweenthe actuators and the actions is possible. Therefore, it is no longernecessary to use a separate symbol for each individual configuration,the meaning thereof potentially not being clear to the driver. Instead,by a limited number of graphical elements, wherein the driver is able toidentify each individual graphical element in a simple manner, aplurality of possible configurations is covered.

Additionally, the first actuator in a corresponding embodiment may be asystem for the automatic control of the vehicle and/or the secondactuator may be the driver of the vehicle. In the first driving mode,the driver thus drives the vehicle manually himself whilst in a highlyautomatic driving mode, the vehicle is guided and monitored by a systemof the vehicle. The system for automatic control in this case maycomprise, e.g., all driver assistance systems which are related toautomated driving. These driver assistance systems, for example, maycomprise a lane keeping system, an automatic distance regulator, a speedregulator, etc. Hereinafter, when the vehicle is denoted as an actuatorit is understood that the system for automatic control carries out theactions.

In one embodiment, the first action comprises a monitoring of thevehicle and/or the second action comprises a vehicle guidance of thevehicle. These potential actions form general subgroups of actions whichare to be carried out when guiding a vehicle. The vehicle guidance maybe subdivided into further sub-actions, such as for example steering,braking, and accelerating. The monitoring in turn may be subdivided intofurther sub-actions, such as for example traffic monitoring andmonitoring of vehicle guidance, in particular monitoring of the traveledspeed.

In corresponding embodiments, in the first driving mode, the secondactuator carries out the first and the second action. In the seconddriving mode, the first actuator carries out the first and the secondaction. In a third driving mode, the first actuator carries out thesecond action and the second actuator carries out the first action. Thedriving modes in this embodiment are thus characterized by the differentconfigurations of the actuators with the actions.

In corresponding embodiments, in the first driving mode, the vehicle isguided manually, in the second driving mode, the vehicle is guidedhighly automatically, and/or in the third driving mode, the vehicle isguided partially automatically. The different driving modes, therefore,denote the different levels of automation, which are possible in avehicle. By the display of the different action elements with thegraphical elements, these action elements may be displayed in a simplemanner.

In a further embodiment, it is ascertained in which driving mode thevehicle is operated. If it is ascertained that the vehicle is in thefirst driving mode, the first and the second graphical action elementsare generated with the second graphical element. If it is ascertainedthat the vehicle is in the second driving mode, the first and the secondgraphical action elements are generated with the first graphicalelement. If it is ascertained that the vehicle is in the third drivingmode, the first action element is generated with the second graphicalelement and the second action element is generated with the firstgraphical element. As a result, the concept for the display of thelevels of automation may be embodied in a highly flexible manner.

In a further embodiment, it is ascertained in which driving mode thevehicle is in. Irrespective of which driving mode the vehicle is in, thefirst and the second graphical action elements are generated with thefirst and with the second graphical element. If it is ascertained thatthe vehicle is in the first driving mode, the first and the secondaction elements are displayed highlighted with the second graphicalelement. If it is ascertained that the vehicle is in the second drivingmode, the first and the second action elements are displayed highlightedwith the first graphical element. If it is ascertained that the vehicleis in the third driving mode, the first action element is displayedhighlighted with the second graphical element and the second actionelement is displayed highlighted with the first graphical element. Inthis embodiment, it is displayed to the driver that both actuators areconfigured to carry out both actions. Here, the action elements may bedisplayed highlighted by being displayed enlarged in comparison with thenon-highlighted action elements. Alternatively, the non-highlightedaction elements may be displayed grayed-out so that the other actionelements appear highlighted. Additionally, a color coding of the actionelements is also conceivable in corresponding embodiments, in which thehighlighted action elements are displayed in a specific color. Moreover,the action elements may also be colored, according to which actuator hasgenerated said action elements.

The action elements in the first actuator may in correspondingembodiments be colored, for example, yellow, orange or red, and theaction elements in the second actuator may be colored, for example,green, blue or turquoise.

In another embodiment, if it is ascertained that the vehicle is in thefirst driving mode, the second graphical element is displayedhighlighted. If, however, it is ascertained that the vehicle is in thesecond driving mode, the first graphical element is displayedhighlighted. If it is ascertained that the vehicle is in the thirddriving mode, the first and the second graphical elements are displayedhighlighted. As a result, it may be displayed to the driver in a simplemanner which actuator is currently active. In this case, thehighlighting of the first or, respectively, the second graphical elementmay be carried out in the same manner as the highlighting of the actionelements.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the current aspect, atime is ascertained after which the vehicle changes from the ascertaineddriving mode to a different driving mode. In this embodiment, this timeinterval may also be transmitted from an apparatus of the vehicle.During the changeover, the first and/or the second action may betransferred from the first or second actuator to the respective otheractuator. A direction-indicating graphical element is generated whichpoints from the first and/or second action element with the first and/orsecond graphical element to the respective other first and/or secondaction element with the second or, respectively, the first graphicalelement. The ascertained time is then displayed with thedirection-indicating element. This embodiment describes a highlyautomatic driving mode in which the driver generally does not have tomonitor the system permanently. The driver has sufficient time inreserve in order potentially to take over the vehicle guidance. Incontrast thereto, the driver in the second driving mode does not have toundertake either of the two actions at a defined time. For example, itmay be necessary to take over the vehicle guidance on specific routes orsections of route. Thus, for example, automatic lane keeping is then nolonger possible for the system when road markings are absent. The driverthen has to undertake the vehicle guidance himself.

Moreover, in the third driving mode, an indicator may be emitted/shownwhich displays which action has to be carried out by the secondactuator. As a result, it is made clear to the driver immediately whichof the two actions he has to carry out himself.

Additionally and in a corresponding embodiment, a warning may be emittedbefore an imminent change from the second or third driving mode into thefirst driving mode, which indicates which action has to be undertaken bythe second actuator. The warning is displayed, e.g., for a specific timeinterval before the changeover. As a result, the driver may readily beprepared to undertake the vehicle guidance and/or the monitoring againhimself. This may make it possible to prevent the driver from beingsurprised by such a changeover.

A further aspect relates to a system for displaying driving modes of avehicle, wherein the vehicle is able to be operated in at least twodifferent driving modes. The system comprises an ascertainment unit bymeans of which it can be ascertained whether the vehicle is operated inthe first or the second driving mode, wherein in the first driving modea first action is able to be carried out by means of a first actuatorand in the second driving mode the first action is able to be carriedout by means of a second actuator. Additionally and in a correspondingembodiment, the system may comprise a display surface on which a firstgraphical element, which represents the first actuator, may generatedand a second graphical element, which represents the second actuator maybe generated. Moreover, the system comprises a control unit, which isconfigured to generate a first graphical action element, whichrepresents the first action with the first and/or second graphicalelement on the display surface. depending on the ascertainment as towhether the vehicle is in the first or the second driving mode. Thesystem is designed, in particular, to carry out the method according tothe first aspect. The system, therefore, has all of the advantages ofthe method according to first aspect.

The display surface in one embodiment may be arranged, e.g., in or onthe windshield of the vehicle. The display surface may for example be aso-called head-up display. The driver then does not have to divert hisview from the road in order to look at the display on the displaysurface. Alternatively, however, the display surface may also bearranged in the central console of the vehicle or in the combinationinstrument of the vehicle.

The invention further relates to a vehicle having such a system.

The invention is now explained by means of further exemplary embodimentswith reference to the drawings.

An exemplary embodiment of a system 1 and an arrangement of the system 1in a vehicle 6 is explained hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The system 1 according to the present embodiment comprises a displaydevice 2 with a display surface 3. The display device 2 is coupled to acontrol unit 4 which in turn is coupled to an ascertainment unit 5.

By means of the ascertainment unit 5, it is possible to determine inwhich driving mode the vehicle 6 is operated.

The driving modes in which the vehicle 6 may be operated relate in thiscase to a level of automation which the vehicle 6 may adopt. The levelof automation is characterized by which actions are carried out by whichactuator. The actuators in this example may be, in particular, thedriver of the vehicle 6 or a system of the vehicle 6 for automateddriving. Such a system comprises, e.g., all driver assistance systemswhich are used in partially automated driving or highly automateddriving. Such driver assistance systems are, for example, a lane keepingsystem, an automatic distance regulator, a speed regulator, etc.

The actions which are carried out in automated driving are vehicleguidance or monitoring. The monitoring in turn comprises trafficmonitoring and the monitoring of the vehicle guidance itself.

In the present example, the vehicle 6 may be operated in three differentdriving modes. The first driving mode describes manual driving in whicha driver guides and monitors the vehicle 6 himself. The second drivingmode describes highly automatic driving in which the vehicle 6 itselfundertakes the guidance and monitoring. An intervention of the driver inthe highly automatic driving mode is not necessary at any time. Thethird driving mode describes a partially automatic driving mode in whichthe vehicle 6 undertakes the vehicle guidance and the task of monitoringis the responsibility of the driver. In the partially automatic drivingmode an intervention of the driver is possible or, respectively, evennecessary in the case of the respective actions of vehicle guidance andmonitoring. If the ascertainment unit 5 has ascertained in which drivingmode the vehicle 6 is operated, therefore, it may be established whichactuator carries out which action.

This information is forwarded to the control unit 4. The control unit 4controls the display surface 3 such that a graphical element isgenerated for each actuator. Additionally, depending on which actuatorcarries out an action, a graphical action element is generated with thecorresponding actuator.

The display surface 3 is arranged in the windshield of the vehicle 6.The display surface 3 is, therefore, part of a so-called head-updisplay. Alternatively, the display surface 3 may also be arranged inthe central console of the vehicle 6 or in the combination instrument ofthe vehicle 6.

With reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b , examples of embodiments of thegraphical elements 7 and 8, which represent the actuators are shown. Thefirst graphical element 7 shown in FIG. 3a schematically displays avehicle. As a result, it is easy for the driver to assign the firstgraphical element 7 to the vehicle 6 as the actuator. The secondgraphical element 8 schematically displays a head. As a result, it iseasy for the driver to assign the second graphical element 8 to a personand, since he drives the vehicle 6, to himself as the actuator.

With reference to FIGS. 3c and 3d , examples of embodiments of thegraphical action elements 9 and 10 which display the actions that may becarried out by the actuators are displayed. The first graphical actionelement 9 in this case schematically displays an eye. As a result, it iseasy for the driver to assign the first graphical element 9 to theaction “monitoring”. The second graphical element 10 schematicallydisplays a steering wheel. As a result, it is easy for the driver toassign the second graphical action element 10 to the action “vehicleguidance”.

With reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b , a first exemplary embodiment of themethod according to the first aspect is described.

The starting point here is that the driver starts a journey.

After the driver has started the engine, it is ascertained in whichdriving mode the vehicle 6 is operated. This may be preset or manuallyset by the driver at the start of the journey.

Additionally, the first graphical element 7 which displays the vehicle 6as the actuator and the second graphical element 8 which displays thedriver as the actuator are shown below one another on the displaysurface 3. The first graphical element 7 in this case is arranged abovethe second graphical element 8. Alternatively, the second graphicalelement 8 may also be arranged above the first graphical element 7.

If it is ascertained that the vehicle 6 is operated in the first drivingmode, i.e., the manual driving mode, a display is generated on thedisplay surface 3, as shown in FIG. 4a . In the first driving mode, thedriver carries out both the vehicle guidance and the monitoring himself.The first action element 9 which represents the action “monitoring” andthe second action element 10 which represents the action “vehicleguidance” are therefore displayed with the second graphical element 8.In the present case “with” is understood as adjacent to the secondgraphical element 8. As a result, the driver is able to detectimmediately by looking at the display surface 3 that he has to carry outboth actions himself.

If, however, it is ascertained that the vehicle 6 is operated in thesecond driving mode, i.e., the highly automatic driving mode, a displayis generated on the display surface 3 as shown in FIG. 4b . In thesecond driving mode, the vehicle 6 carries out both the vehicle guidanceand the monitoring.

The first action element 9, which represents the “monitoring” action andthe second action element 10 which represents the “vehicle guidance”action are, therefore, displayed with the first graphical element 7. Inthe present case, “with” is understood once again as adjacent to thefirst graphical element 7. As a result, the driver is able to detectimmediately by looking at the display surface 3 that he does not have tocarry out either of the two actions himself and is able to devotehimself to other activities.

With reference to FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c , a further exemplary embodimentof the method according to the invention is described.

The initial situation in this case is once again that the driver startsa journey.

First, the first graphical element 7 and the second graphical element 8are generated below one another on the display surface 3. In each case,the graphical action elements 9 and 10 are displayed adjacent to thefirst 7 and the second graphical element 8.

In this case the graphical elements 7 and 8 and the action elements 9.1and 10.1 and 9.2 and 10.2 are displayed as color-coded. The graphicalelement 7 and the action elements 9.1 and 10.1 assigned to the graphicalelement 7, are, for example, displayed in orange and the graphicalelement 8 and the action elements 9.2 and 10.2 assigned to the graphicalelement 8 are displayed in turquoise.

It is ascertained in which driving mode the vehicle 6 is operated. Thismay be preset once again or set manually by the driver at the start of ajourney.

If it is ascertained that the vehicle 6 is operated in the first drivingmode, i.e., the manual driving mode, a display as shown in FIG. 5a isdisplayed.

Here, the second graphical element 8 is displayed highlighted incomparison to the first graphical element 7. As a result, the secondgraphical element 8 is displayed highlighted by being displayed largerin comparison with the first graphical element 7. Additionally, thefirst graphical element 7 is displayed grayed-out, i.e. no longer orangebut grey. This indicates to the driver that the actuator which isassigned to the second graphical element 8, i.e., the driver in thepresent driving mode, has to undertake an action and thus is the activeactuator. The other actuator, however, is inactive.

Moreover, both graphical action elements 9.2 and 10.2, which aredisplayed adjacent to the second graphical element 8, are displayedhighlighted in comparison to the graphical action element 9.1 and 10.1,which are displayed adjacent to the first graphical element 7. The twographical action elements 9.2 and 10.2 are displayed highlighted, by thegraphical action elements 9.1 and 10.1 being displayed grayed-out, i.e.,no longer orange but gray. As a result, it is communicated to the driverwhich actions are the responsibility of the active actuator, i.e., inthe present case the driver himself.

Additionally or alternatively, the graphical action elements 9.2 and10.2 may also be displayed larger than the action elements 9.1 and 10.1.

Moreover, an indicator 11 is displayed adjacent to the action elements9.2 and 10.2 which indicates to the driver that the vehicle is drivenmanually.

Alternatively, the first graphical element 7 and the action elements 9.1and 10.1 assigned thereto may also be masked out.

If it is ascertained that the vehicle 6 is operated in the seconddriving mode, i.e., the highly automatic driving mode, a display isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 5 b.

In this case, the first graphical element 7 is displayed highlighted incomparison to the second graphical element 8. The first graphicalelement 7 is displayed highlighted by being displayed larger incomparison to the second graphical element 8. Additionally, the secondgraphical element 8 is displayed grayed-out relative to the firstgraphical element 7, i.e., no longer turquoise but gray. This indicatesto the driver that the actuator which is assigned to the first graphicalelement 7, i.e., the vehicle 6, in the present driving mode has to carryout an action and thus is the active actuator. The other actuator,however, is inactive.

Moreover, the two graphical action elements 9.1 and 10.1, which aredisplayed adjacent to the first graphical element 8 are displayedhighlighted in comparison to the graphical action elements 9.2 and 10.2,which are displayed adjacent to the second graphical element 8. The twographical action elements 9.1 and 10.1 are displayed highlighted by thegraphical action elements 9.2 and 10.2 being shown grayed-out, i.e., nolonger turquoise but gray. As a result, it is shown to the driver whichactions are the responsibilities of the active actuator, i.e., in thepresent case the vehicle 6.

Since the driver in the case of the second driving mode does not have tocarry out any action himself, no indicator is emitted.

Alternatively, the second graphical element 8 and the action elements9.2 and 10.2 assigned thereto may be also masked out.

If it is ascertained that the vehicle 6 is operated in the third drivingmode, i.e., one of the partially automatic driving modes, a display asshown in FIG. 5c is displayed.

Since in this case each of the two actuators is responsible for one ofthe two actions, neither of the two graphical elements 7 or 8 isdisplayed highlighted. As a result, it is indicated to the driver thatboth actuators carry out an action.

In the third driving mode, the driver undertakes the “monitoring” taskand the vehicle 6 undertakes the “vehicle guidance” task.

This is displayed to the driver by the first action element 9.2 adjacentto the second graphical element 8 being displayed highlighted incomparison with the first action element 9.1. adjacent to the firstgraphical element 7. At the same time, the second action element 10.1adjacent to the first graphical element 7 is displayed highlighted incomparison with the second action element 10.2 adjacent to the secondgraphical element 8.

The action elements 9.2 and 10.1 are in turn displayed highlighted, bythe action elements 9.1 and 10.2 being displayed grayed-out, i.e., nolonger orange or, respectively, turquoise but gray. Alternatively or atthe same time they may also be displayed larger.

Since the driver now has to carry out the monitoring himself, anindicator 11 “please monitor” is displayed adjacent to the actionelements 9.2 and 10.2. As a result, it is immediately clear to thedriver which task he is responsible for.

Alternatively, the grayed-out action elements 9.1 and 10.2, i.e., theaction elements which are displayed as inactive, may also be masked out.

The remaining display elements displayed in FIGS. 5a to 5c on thedisplay surface 3 are part of a navigation function of the vehicle 6. Inthis case, the direction in which he has to drive is indicated to thedriver.

In addition, the current speed of the vehicle 6 is displayed. Moreover,it is displayed that a change in the permitted maximum speed is imminenton the route.

With reference to FIGS. 6a and 6b , a third exemplary embodiment of themethod according to the invention is described.

The initial situation in the third exemplary embodiment is that it hasbeen ascertained that the vehicle 6 is operated in one of the drivingmodes and correspondingly a display is displayed on the display surface3.

It is then ascertained that a change in driving mode is imminent.

In the case of FIG. 6a , it is initially ascertained that the vehicle 6is operated in the first driving mode and the driver thereforeundertakes both the vehicle guidance and the monitoring. Therefore, thedisplay of FIG. 5a is displayed as an initial display but without anindicator 11 which is only displayed as an alternative.

Then a time is ascertained after which the vehicle 6 changes from thefirst driving mode into the third driving mode. In this case the“vehicle guidance” action is transferred to the vehicle 6, whilst the“monitoring” action remains with the driver. In the present example, itis ascertained that this changeover is being carried out in one minute.

A direction-indicating graphical element 12 is generated between theaction elements 10.1 and 10.2. The direction-indicating graphicalelement 12 in this case is designed as an arrow. The arrow 12 pointsfrom the action element 10.2 to the action element 10.1. As a result, itis indicated to the driver that the “vehicle guidance” action istransferred from the “driver” actuator, to whom the action element 10.2is assigned, to the “vehicle” actuator 6, to which the action element10.1 is assigned.

Moreover, in addition to the direction-indicating graphical element 12,the ascertained time is displayed numerically, namely 1 minute until thetransfer of the action.

The arrow 12 comprises a line 12.2 and a tip 12.1. A part 14.2 of theline 12.2 is displayed highlighted in comparison with the other part14.1 of the line 12.2. In this case the length of the part 14.2 of theline 12.2, which is displayed highlighted is dependent on theascertained time.

The part 14.2 of the line 12.2 displayed highlighted becomesincreasingly short, the shorter the remaining time. The remaining timeis also displayed to the driver, therefore, adjacent to the numericaldisplay via the removal of the highlighted part 14.2 of the line 12.2.

The highlighted part 14.2 is highlighted by the line thickness in thehighlighted part 14.2 being selected to be larger than in thenon-highlighted part 14.1.

Alternatively, the thicker part 14.2 of the arrow line 12.2 may alsobecome increasingly long, the shorter the ascertained time. As a result,in the present example, the thicker part 14.2 of the arrow line 12.2runs toward the action element 10.1.

In the example of FIG. 6b , it is ascertained that the vehicle isoperated in the third driving mode. Additionally, it is ascertained thata change into the first driving mode is taking place after sevenminutes. As a result, the task of the vehicle guidance is transferredfrom the vehicle 6 to the driver.

Therefore, in turn, a direction-indicating graphical element 12, onceagain an arrow, is displayed, which this time however points from theaction element 10.1 to the action element 10.2. The time which remainsuntil the driving mode is changed is displayed numerically adjacent tothe arrow 12.

Moreover, a part 14.2 of the arrow line 12.2 is once again displayedhighlighted by being displayed thicker than the non-highlighted part14.1 of the arrow line 12.2. The length of the highlighted part 14.2 ofthe arrow line 12.2 is in turn dependent on the ascertained remainingtime until the change of driving mode. The length of the highlightedpart 14.2 of the arrow 12 is dynamically adapted to the remaining time.

Additionally, a further graphical element 13 which indicates to thedriver that he currently has to carry out the “monitoring” action isshown in FIG. 6 b.

A warning, which warns the driver of the change of driving mode may beadditionally emitted on the display surface 3. As a result, the driveris not surprised that he himself now has to carry out one of the actionswhich he has not previously carried out.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood andeffected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimedinvention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and theappended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not excludeother elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does notexclude a plurality. A single processor, module or other unit mayfulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims.

The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually differentdependent claims or embodiments does not indicate that a combination ofthese measured cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may bestored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storagemedium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part ofother hardware, but may also be distributed in other forms, such as viathe Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunication systems. Anyreference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting thescope.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 System-   2 Display device-   3 Display surface-   4 Control unit-   5 Ascertainment unit-   6 Vehicle-   7 First graphical element-   8 Second graphical element-   9 First graphical action element-   10 Second graphical action element-   11 Indicator-   12 Direction-indicating element; arrow-   12.2 Arrow line-   12.1 Arrow tip-   13 Graphical element-   14.2 Highlighted part of the arrow line-   14.1 Non-highlighted part of the arrow line

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for displaying driving modes of avehicle, wherein the vehicle can be operated in at least two differentdriving modes, in which it is determined, via an ascertaining unit,whether the vehicle is being operated in a first or a second drivingmode, wherein in the first driving mode a second actuator conducts afirst action and in the second driving mode a first actuator conductsthe first action; a first graphical element, which represents the firstactuator and a second graphical element, which represents the secondactuator are generated on a display surface, and depending on whetherthe vehicle is in the first or the second driving mode, a firstgraphical action element, which represents the first action, isgenerated with at least one of the first and second graphical element,wherein the first graphical action element is assigned visually to oneof the two graphical elements to illustrate, which of the actuators isresponsible for conducting the first action.
 2. The method as claimed inclaim 1, wherein at least one second action is conducted by the first orthe second actuator, wherein depending on the determination as towhether the vehicle is in the first or the second driving mode, a secondgraphical action element, which represents the second action, isgenerated with the first and/or second graphical element.
 3. The methodas claimed in claim 1, wherein the first actuator is a system for theautomatic control of the vehicle and the second actuator is a driver ofthe vehicle.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the firstaction comprises a monitoring of the vehicle and the second actioncomprises a vehicle guidance of the vehicle.
 5. The method as claimed inclaim 2, wherein in the first driving mode, the second actuator conductsthe first and the second action, in the second driving mode the firstactuator conducts the first and the second action, and in a thirddriving mode the first actuator conducts the second action and thesecond actuator conducts the first action.
 6. The method as claimed inclaim 5, wherein in the first driving mode the vehicle is guidedmanually, in the second driving mode the vehicle is guided highlyautomatically, and in the third driving mode the vehicle is guidedpartially automatically.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein itis ascertained in which driving mode the vehicle is operated; if it isascertained that the vehicle is in the first driving mode, the first andthe second graphical action elements are generated with the secondgraphical element; if it is ascertained that the vehicle is in thesecond driving mode, the first and the second graphical action elementsare generated with the first graphical element; and if it is ascertainedthat the vehicle is in the third driving mode, the first action elementis generated with the second graphical element, and the second actionelement is generated with the first graphical element.
 8. The method asclaimed in claim 5, wherein it is ascertained in which driving mode thevehicle is in; irrespective of which driving mode the vehicle is in, thefirst and the second graphical action elements are generated with thefirst and with the second graphical element; wherein if it isascertained that the vehicle is in the first driving mode, the first andthe second action elements are displayed highlighted with the secondgraphical element; if it is ascertained that the vehicle is in thesecond driving mode, the first and the second action elements aredisplayed highlighted with the first graphical element; and if it isascertained that the vehicle is in the third driving mode, the firstaction element is displayed highlighted with the second graphicalelement and the second action element is displayed highlighted with thefirst graphical element.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein ifit is ascertained that the vehicle is in the first driving mode, thesecond graphical element is displayed highlighted, if it is ascertainedthat the vehicle is in the second driving mode, the first graphicalelement is displayed highlighted; and if it is ascertained that thevehicle is in the third driving mode, the first and the second graphicalelements are displayed highlighted.
 10. The method as claimed in claim2, wherein a time is ascertained after which the vehicle changes fromthe ascertained driving mode into a different driving mode, wherein thefirst and/or the second action is transferred from the first or secondactuator to the respective other actuator; a direction-indicatinggraphical element is generated, which points from the first and/orsecond action element with the first and/or second graphical element tothe respective other first and/or second action element; and theascertained time is displayed with the direction-indicating element. 11.The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein in the third driving mode, anindicator is emitted, which displays which action has to be conducted bythe second actuator.
 12. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein awarning is emitted before an imminent change from the second or thirddriving mode into the first driving mode, which indicates to the secondactuator which action has to be undertaken by him.
 13. The method asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the first action comprises a monitoring ofthe vehicle.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the secondaction comprises a vehicle guidance of the vehicle.
 15. A system fordisplaying driving modes of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle is able to beoperated in at least two different driving modes, comprising anascertainment unit, which is configured to ascertain whether the vehicleis operated in the first or the second driving mode, wherein in thefirst driving mode a first action may be conducted by a second actuatorand in the second driving mode the first action may be conducted by afirst actuator; a display surface on which a first graphical element maybe generated, which represents the first actuator, and on which a secondgraphical element may be generated, which represents the secondactuator; and a control unit, which is configured to generate a firstgraphical action element, which represents the first action with thefirst and/or second graphical element on the display surface, dependingon the ascertainment as to whether the vehicle is in the first or thesecond driving mode, wherein the first graphical action element isassigned visually to one of the two graphical elements to illustrate,which of the actuators is responsible for conducting the first action.16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the display surface isarranged in the windshield of the vehicle.
 17. A vehicle having a systemas claimed in claim
 15. 18. A vehicle having a system as claimed inclaim 16.